NHL On Tap: Barkov, Panthers continue playoff push against Blackhawks

Welcome to NHL On Tap. Three NHL.com writers will share what they are most looking forward to on the schedule each day. Today, their choices from the two games Friday.

Barkov coming up big for Panthers

Forward Matthew Tkachuk leads the Florida Panthers in scoring, but Aleksander Barkov is just as crucial. Which is why the center's return has been so important to the Panthers, who are trying to get themselves back into position for a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the Eastern Conference. Barkov missed three games with a hand injury, but since he's back, Florida (32-27-6) has won two straight. He had two assists in a 4-1 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday and a goal in a 2-1 victory against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. Barkov, third on the Panthers with 53 points (17 goals, 36 assists) in 51 games this season, will be a key player again when Florida tries to keep it going against the Chicago Blackhawks (22-37-5) at FLA Live Arena (7 p.m. ET; SNE, SNO, SNP, TVAS, BSFL, NBCSCH, ESPN+, SN NOW). The Panthers are four points behind the Penguins for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference, with Pittsburgh holding one game in hand. The Panthers are also tied with Ottawa Senators, who also have a game in hand. Barkov, the Florida captain, said after the game Tuesday that they're all huge at this stage of the season. So was his return to the lineup. -- Amalie Benjamin, staff writer

Surging Toffoli leads Flames' playoff pursuit against Ducks

Tyler Toffoli has played the role of hero in each of the past two games and will attempt to help the Calgary Flames extend their winning streak to three, which would equal their longest this season, against the Anaheim Ducks at Scotiabank Saddledome (9 p.m. ET; TVAS, SNW, BSSC, ESPN+, SN NOW). The Flames (29-23-13) are four points behind the Winnipeg Jets for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Western Conference, so every game is crucial. Enter Toffoli. On Monday, Calgary blew a two-goal lead in the third period at the Dallas Stars, only to have the forward score with 6.2 seconds remaining to give the Flames a 5-4 victory and end a five-game skid (0-3-2). One night later, he scored the shootout winner in a 1-0 victory at the Minnesota Wild. Calgary goalie Jacob Markstrom made 40 saves for his first shutout of the season, a far cry from the nine he had a year ago, when he was a Vezina Trophy finalist for best goalie in the NHL. The Flames will need Toffoli and Markstrom to each stay on top of his game down the stretch. Meanwhile, the hockey world is still buzzing over the between-the-legs goal by Ducks center Trevor Zegras in a 5-2 loss at the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday. Anaheim (21-35-9) has struggled this season, but the imagination and skill of Zegras, 21, and his ability to think outside the box have been a bright spot. -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

'Bob' needs to stay hot in South Florida

Indeed, Barkov is a huge addition to the Panthers lineup, an absolute must-have if they are going to make the playoffs. But without question, the most important person in all of this is goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, who's expected to make his 13th start in 14 games. In his past 12 starts, he's 8-4-0 with a 2.18 goals-against average and .932 save percentage, having turned his season around after going 12-13-2 with a 3.24 GAA and .897 save percentage in his first 30 games. He's the Panthers' player to watch the rest of the way, and certainly against the Blackhawks. It's still a climb for Florida, but with Bobrovsky playing the way he is, the postseason remains in sight. -- Dan Rosen, senior writer

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Friday games

Chicago Blackhawks at Florida Panthers (7 p.m. ET; SNE, SNO, SNP, TVAS, BSFL, NBCSCH, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Panthers have won three of four, allowing five goals. The problem is four of them have come when they're on the penalty kill. Florida has allowed at least one power-play goal in nine consecutive games, going 62.1 percent on the PK, tied with the Philadelphia Flyers for lowest in the League in that span. The Blackhawks are 1-5-0 in their past six games.
Anaheim Ducks at Calgary Flames (9 p.m. ET; TVAS, SNW, BSSC, ESPN+, SN NOW)
Anaheim has gotten at least one point in six of its past seven games (4-1-2). The Flames have one win in their past seven at home (1-5-1) since defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 in overtime on Jan. 23. Calgary won 3-2 in overtime at Anaheim on Dec. 23 in the only previous meeting between the teams this season.